Gholson: Rodriguez belongs to us; he always will

associated press
Catcher Ivan Rodriguez has decided to announce his retirement after 21 seasons in the major leagues. A 14-time All-Star, he won the 1999 American League Most Valuable Player Award as a member of the Texas Rangers.

AP2009

Pudge Rodriguez has always been one of my favorite Rangers.

Although he played for five other teams over the past eight seasons, Pudge never looked quite right in those other uniforms.

He always belonged to us.

He began his career in old Arlington Stadium.

He caught Nolan Ryan.

He was behind the plate when Kenny Rogers threw his perfect game.

He helped Texas make the playoffs for the first time back in 1996, then again in 1998 and 1999.

So it seems so fitting that Pudge has decided to officially announce his retirement Monday night back at the Ballpark in Arlington, surrounded by the fans who love him and appreciate him the most.

Pudge came to us as a wide-eyed 19-year-old kid back in 1991.

He is saying goodbye as a 40-year-old man destined for the Hall of Fame.

In my humble opinion, he is the third best hind catcher in the history of the game.

Johnny Bench is 1. Yogi Berra is 2. Pudge is 3.

You can argue for Roy Campanella or Carlton Fisk or Gary Carter or someone else, but Pudge's .296 career batting average is better than all of the above, and he could shoot down base-stealers like no one I have ever seen.

I can still see Pudge, crouched behind the plate, whipping a throw to first base to pick off a runner.

It was a thing of beauty and part of the reason he leaves baseball with 13 Gold Gloves.

Jose Canseco somewhat scarred the 14-time All-Star career when he wrote in his book that he had personally injected him with steroids. And, of course, Pudge was a teammate of Rafael Palmeiro, who will probably be denied a spot in the Hall of Fame because of his alleged use of performance-enhancing drugs.

Our eyes don't lie. There was a time in his career when Pudge's physique bulked up drastically.

But, as far as I know, he never tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs and was wise enough to keep his mouth shut during all the investigations.

Innocent until proven guilty — and there is no proof of steroid guilt.

Also, Pudge had his best season in 1999, six years after Canseco's final year in Texas.

He was the American League MVP that year after hitting .332 with 35 home runs, 113 RBIs and 25 stolen bases — all personal bests. And as always, he was brilliant behind the plate.

There will be both tears and cheers on Monday night when Pudge hangs up his mitt here in Texas.